Good evening! Glad to have you all back as we examine all things horror here at Our Darkest Fears. Tonight, I will take a quick look at the new HBO MAX version of Stephen King’s Salem’s Lot.

When I was a young lad and started reading horror novels in sixth grade, Salem’s Lot was the second King book I read. It impacted my life so much that I pull out my hardcover and read it at least once a year. The way it slowly builds the growing horror and evil talking over the town is a masterpiece. King gives us a rich novel where, even in small towns, the darkness and secrets only whispered about in the shadows can make it ripe for a creature like Barlow. The novel never feels bogged down or slow as it builds toward its climax in the Marsten House.

This pacing is where the newest take on the classic novel fails.

I love the original television mini-series. The format and length lent itself to making a faithful adaptation of the book. I even enjoyed parts of the Rod Lowe version, and I was excited when they announced this new take. The first-look pictures and trailer were fantastic, but I was worried when it was decided that it would be released for streaming and not given a theatrical run. When this was announced, my warning bells went off.

The new vision is a Cliff Notes version of the novel. It hits the main points but never gives the characters or the plot room to breathe and pull you in. The mood and atmosphere were excellent, giving the town a haunting feeling. It tried, it really did, but the runtime was a disservice to the town’s story. The adults jump immediately to vampires as the trouble in town, and every story thread becomes a fast race from scene to scene in a hurry to reach the next story point without any development.

The cast is great. Alfre Woodard has a super turn as Dr. Cody, and Jordan Preston Carter brings it as Mark Petrie. William Sadler also stars as Parkins Gillespie. The only casting issue I had was with Straker. Pilou Asbaek didn’t come off as smooth and suave as James Mason’s take in the original mini-series. One character look I appreciated was Barlow. The original Nosferatu appearance. The movie, still taking place in the 1970s, was also a nice nod to the novel and mini-series.

Now, don’t get me wrong—there were some things in the new version I liked. The use of the drive-in theater was great for streamlining the last portion of the novel. However, the short runtime meant some significant parts of the book were left out. The biggest omission for me was the meaning of the Marsten House and how it affected the town and Ben Mears. The house was why Ben returned to the Lot, but it was never discussed or explored. Ben overcoming his fear was a central plot driver. The final fight not being at the Marsten House also gives the house a lesser standing. The film portrays it as pretty much just a plain old abandoned house.

Overall, it is worth watching since the HBO MAX subscription has already been paid for. There are rumors of a three-hour cut of the movie. If this is true, I hope it sees the light of day. I think lovers of the book and mini-series would enjoy seeing if it would be a better-paced adaptation. Maybe someday…

I’m rating this one 2 1/2 out of 5 tombstones. Maybe the longer cut will score better if we see it.

Okay, gang, I must head out and work on the new book. I hope you have a hauntingly good night, and be careful who you invite inside your house.

Later,

Brent